With regard to Field batteries of Artillery, (ten in number) they are in a perfectly serviceable and effective condition, and this satisfactory result reflects great credit, not only on the officers in command of these Batteries, but on the individual officers and men composing them. The guns, 42 in number, and 441 horses (with the exception of the 6 pounder Armstrong battery in Halifax, which is not horsed) consist of muzzle loading, smooth bored 9 pounders, and twenty-four pounder howitzers, in the proportion of 3 nine pounder guns, and one 24 pounder howitzer to each battery, these are a good description of gun for field batteries, from the former, the projectiles fired are solid shot, shrapnel shells, and case and from the latter, common and shrapnell shell case – shot, and carcasses. The use and management of these guns, are perfectly well understood by the men, who are not hampered by useless trappings. On all occasions, whenever called on, these batteries are fairly horsed, and the harness and tackle, are nearly new; these batteries are kept always supplied with the usual amount of service ammunition, and they are in a fit condition at any moment to take the field. I may add, in connection with this arm, that Canada possesses great resources, for the formation of field batteries of Artillery. The young men of the country are well accustomed to work with teams, and waggons, and being very intelligent, and handy at such work, are easily trained for the duties of field artillerymen, and there is, throughout the country, a large supply of hardy and useful draught horses. At various reviews, which were held last summer, these batteries worked well in brigade, taking up positions in good style, and firing with ease and rapidity; and they only require, in addition to the periodical practice instruction in firing shot and shell, to be trained at the annual drills in Brigade, in co-operation with Cavalry and Infantry, to acquire and maintain an adequate and reasonable degree of efficiency. The power and value of Field Artillery, is so well known, and the moral effect produced by it, during operations in the field so great, that the maintenance of these Batteries in a state of efficiency at all times, is a matter of the greatest importance. The Garrison Artillery numbers at present 3,558 officers and men, and is organized into 7 brigades, and 19 independent batteries; the larger portion of the latter being attached to the rural battalions of their different localities for administrative purposes.The Head Quarters of five of these Brigades are at Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, St John, N.B., and Halifax, N.S., and the remaining two form a portion of the Grand Trunk Brigade, which has a distinct organisation, and is intended for the defence and security for that important line of railway. For the practice and instruction of the men in Gun Drill, these Artillery Brigades have the use of heavy guns of position at their respective Head Quarters, and as soon as additional guns of position can be obtained , it is proposed to distribute them to those independent batteries not already furnished with this necessary means of instruction. The Garrison Artillery are clothed with the same description of uniform as the Royal Artillery; for small arms they are in possession of the long breech-loading Snider-Enfield Rifle, and they have all been drilled as Infantry.For the purpose of instructing the officers of the Militia in Artillery Science, there is at present but one school of Gunnery, formed by the Royal Artillery at Toronto, which has been largely attended and has proved of great service ; but, inasmuch as it is indispensable for the defence of the Dominion that a syufficient number of trained Artillery officers should be forthcoming when required, I would beg to recommend that Schools of Gunnery for the instruction of the Militia Artillery officers and cadets be formed wherever a portion of the Royal Artillery may be quartered for a certain period, at least, in each year.The Canadian Gunner 1971, Volume 7, December 1971